A perfectly constructed machine, bearing considerable resemblance to a human being, attired in a chocolate-colored suit relieved with pink braid, opened the door, and glided noiselessly into the room, stopping with a slight jerk, as though the clockwork had run down, at about three paces inside.
“That is settled, then,” the marchioness was saying when the machine entered. “I shall get her here, and see what she is like.” Her ladyship turned to the machine. “Go and find Lady Victoria, and tell her I want to speak to her.”
The machine made an inclination, revolved on its castors, and noiselessly disappeared. The marchioness continued:
“I must have Mr. Hammond here as well, I suppose?”
“That is indispensable,” was the answer. “And, by the way, I think it will be better not to say anything beforehand to Lord Severn.”
The marchioness looked surprised.
“Why?” she demanded.
Despencer gave another shrug.
“I thought we agreed just now that he was a trifle Early Victorian in some of his ideas. He may have heard the rumors, you know.”
The marchioness had caught a step approaching. She raised her hand with a warning gesture.